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New York & Atlantic Railway Team Donates to Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief

GLENDALE, NY—October 30, 2017 (James Street Media Services)—When a New York & Atlantic Railway (NYA) employee learned of the post-hurricane conditions afflicting family and friends in Puerto Rico, he wanted to help. Soon, NYA was supporting the relief efforts.

NYA track laborer Jesse Santos worked with his uncle, mechanic Jorge Santos, to organize the efforts to send badly needed emergency supplies to the stricken island. The week after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, they learned that a local Brooklyn business was making its facilities available as a central gathering point for relief supplies.

Jesse and Jorge purchased supplies, and asked their coworkers to give whatever they could. Almost immediately, NYA headquarters decided to support their efforts with funds to purchase additional supplies, including: water; canned goods; diapers; baby formula; batteries; first aid kits; and other basic necessities that would travel well.

On October 8, NYA Manager–Operations Support James P. Nunes joined the two men as they drove a NYA truck loaded with supplies to the Brooklyn gathering point. A shipping container was filled with the NYA donations later that week and sent to Puerto Rico.

“We were proud that so many of our people—starting with Jesse and Jorge Santos—wanted to help Puerto Rico in this very difficult time, but we weren’t surprised,” says NYA President James Bonner. “After working with our fellow railroaders on the NYA, we know how dedicated they are to one another and their community.”